Hair transplant for women

How does hair loss progress differently in women?

In men, hair loss usually starts with a clearly visible gap at the front hairline, the temples or the crown. In women, the hairline often stays where it is; instead, the hair thins and becomes sparse over a wide area, especially at the crown and around the part.

Sometimes this thinning also affects the back and sides of the head, that is, the donor area from which we take the grafts. That is why, before we plan a transplant for a woman, we look for the answers to two questions: what is causing the hair loss, and how healthy is the donor area?

First, we understand the cause of the hair loss

Hair loss in women can have many causes: female pattern hair loss, which is linked to inherited predisposition and hormones; the period after giving birth; thyroid problems; iron deficiency; severe stress; certain medications; scalp conditions; or wearing the hair pulled back tightly for a long time. Some of these causes are temporary; others need treatment. A hair transplant does not remove any of these causes; it only moves hair follicles from the donor area to the thinning area.

During the examination, we look at your hair and scalp and talk with you about when the hair loss started and how it has progressed. Sometimes a blood test or an assessment by a dermatologist is needed to understand the cause. We discuss the option of a transplant after this assessment.

Which women may be suitable for a hair transplant?

A hair transplant is a suitable option for only some of the women who experience hair loss. In every case, the basic requirement is enough healthy hair in the donor area, unaffected by thinning. If this requirement is met, we consider a transplant in the following situations:

• If the thinning is concentrated in a specific area, such as the part, the front or the crown, and the hair loss has not progressed for some time
• If thinning caused by wearing the hair pulled back tightly for a long time does not improve even after you stop doing so
• If there is an old scar on the scalp where no hair grows
• If the hairline is naturally high and lowering it with grafts is what you would like

Whether it suits you becomes clear during the examination.

Situations in which we may first suggest a different approach

• If the hair loss has spread across the whole scalp and the donor area is also thinning
• If the hair loss is still progressing quickly or its cause is not yet clear
• If the hair loss is accompanied by a treatable condition, such as a thyroid problem or iron deficiency
• If a scalp condition that leaves scars is ongoing

In these situations, we often recommend a medical assessment and treatment first; we can discuss a transplant again once the cause and course of the hair loss are clear. If the donor area is also thinning, a transplant is often not a suitable option.

How do we make the plan?

In women, the number of grafts we can take from the donor area is often limited. That is why we concentrate the grafts in the areas that matter most for your appearance; these are usually the part and the front.

We often place the grafts between your existing hairs. How much denser the area can become depends on the density of your existing hair and the number of grafts that can be taken from your donor area; expecting a transplant to bring back the hair density you once had is often not realistic. We make the plan together with you, talking openly about what is possible and listening to your expectations.

If you do not want to cut your hair short, we consider a long-hair or unshaven transplant together.

The process and aftercare

The process is similar to that of other hair transplant procedures: initial call, examination and planning, the day of the procedure, and follow-up. We harvest the grafts one by one under local anesthesia, using the FUE method, and, depending on your plan, place them into channels opened beforehand or with an implanter pen (DHI).

In the first few days, you may notice redness, mild swelling or scabbing. In the weeks after the procedure, some of the transplanted hair or the hair around it may fall out temporarily; this is called shock loss. When it happens and to what extent varies from person to person. Surrounding hairs that had already thinned, however, may not always grow back. Because in women we often place the grafts between existing hairs, we discuss this possibility with you separately before the procedure.

It takes months for new hair to grow, and when the result becomes clear varies from person to person; we review your progress together at follow-up appointments.

We give you written aftercare instructions on washing, sleeping and returning to daily life; always follow those instructions rather than the general information on this page.

Frequently asked questions